Winter 2018
Veterans’ Therapy Dog Has His Own Battle to Overcome
Webb, an 8-year-old male golden retriever, has an important job, and many of America’s heroes rely on him every day. He was originally trained to be a service animal for a veteran with a disability, but it turned out that he wasn’t suited for individualized care. However, the Veterans Administration still saw potential in him, so now Webb serves as a therapy dog at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System – Menlo Park Division. He is charged with the mission of cheerleader, encourager, and all-around goodwill ambassador at the rehabilitation center.
Farrier Daisy Bicking & Dr. Nicholas Frank to Headline 32nd Annual Heumphreus Lecture 
The 32nd Annual Charles Heumphreus Memorial Lecture will take place February 3, 2018 at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). This year’s event features farrier Daisy Bicking, founder of Daisy Haven Farm: School of Integrative Hoofcare, and Dr. Nicholas Frank, professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Farriers and equine veterinarians are invited to attend the event, which takes place from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Morning lectures will be in Schalm Hall on the SVM campus, and the afternoon shoeing demonstration will be in the Large Animal Clinic’s covered arena.
Equine Dentistry Advancing with New Board Certification
In 2014, the American Veterinary Medical Association approved recognition of a new board certification in equine dentistry. The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) Equine Dental Specialty Diplomate is a veterinarian who has been certified by AVDC as having demonstrated specialist knowledge and expertise in equine veterinary dentistry as a result of completing the AVDC entrance requirements and having successfully passed the AVDC equine examination. The AVDC has long recognized a non-species specific certification that many small animal dentists hold.
Goat Survives Dog Attack
Thor, a 7-month-old male pygmy goat, was brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital after he and his pen mate were attacked by a dog. Unfortunately, his pen mate did not survive the attack. Before bringing Thor to the hospital, his owner immediately called their primary veterinarian, Dr. Mary Pride Clark, who cleaned and sutured Thor’s wounds and administered antibiotics and pain medication. After initial emergency care, Dr. Clark, a UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine alumna, suggested that Thor be seen by the experts in the UC Davis Livestock Medicine & Surgery Service for further evaluation and ongoing pain management.
Cystoscopy Used to Remove Bladder Stones at UC Davis
Veterinarians at UC Davis are using cystoscopy to evaluate the lower urinary and genital tracts in animals. A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to conveniently see areas of the bladder or urethra that may not be visible on x-rays or ultrasound. The procedure is performed while animals are under general anesthesia.
Community Surgery Program Gives Students Hands-On Training
Veterinary students spend their fourth and final year rotating through the many services of the hospital. Often stated as their favorite rotation is the Community Surgery Service. Unlike their time spent in the specialty surgery services (where student participation is limited to observation), a rotation through Community Surgery offers students a hands-on experience performing spays and neuters as well as mass removals and other basic surgical procedures.
Specialized Diet Helps Dog Manage Chronic Kidney Disease 
Niya, 15-year-old female Keeshond, was battling urinary tract infections and incontinence, and her medication was decreasing her appetite, so her primary veterinarian in Maryland thought that help from a specialist was warranted. Around that time, Niya’s owners, Debora and Chris Luther, were planning a trip to California to see family. The Luthers were very familiar with the UC Davis veterinary hospital—Debora graduated from UC Davis in 1977, and Chris grew up in Davis with his mother Linda having worked at the university for many years—so they decided to bring Niya with them to California and have her examined by specialists at UC Davis.
Anonymous Donor Pays for Shelter Dog’s Cataract Surgery 
Bentley, an approximately 6-year-old male Maltese mix, was brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital by the Underdog Animal Rescue after they saved him from a potentially non-adoptive situation (and facing euthanasia) at a county shelter. While at the shelter, Bentley was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes by the county’s veterinarian. His foster mom reported he was able to see shadows and get around the house reasonably well, but would occasionally bump into things if the furniture was moved or things were out of place. She also believed him to be deaf, as he has never responded to his name or any type of noise. To improve Bentley’s quality of life and to give him the best chance for adoption, she decided to bring him to the ophthalmology specialists at UC Davis.
UC Davis Welcomes New Clinician
Emergency and Critical Care Service
Ronald Li, DVM, MVetMed, Ph.D., DACVECC
Dr. Ronald Li graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (University of Guelph) in 2009. After a rotating internship in Toronto, Canada, he went on to pursue an emergency and critical care residency and a Master of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Royal Veterinary College in 2011. He became a Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2014. Dr. Li received his Ph.D. from UC Davis in December 2017. His research focus includes platelet signaling, thrombosis and neutrophil extracellular trap formation in sepsis. His clinical interests include management of respiratory failure, acquired coagulopathy and thrombosis in critical illness.
Did You Know?
…that equine medicine specialist Dr. Nicola Pusterla just published a book? Interpretation of Equine Laboratory Diagnostics is available online.
…that UC Davis Picnic Day is Saturday, April 21? This open house event will feature tours of the veterinary hospital and other activities at the School of Veterinary Medicine from 1-4 p.m.
…that the Large Animal Clinic performs more than 350 equine surgeries per year? See the surgeons in action in this video of a recent procedure.
Thanks & Praise from Grateful Clients
Dear UC Davis veterinary hospital,
Our dog Murphy had back surgery at UC Davis, and those folks did an outstanding job. We would like to commend resident Dr. Izumi Toyoda and DVM student Cindy Sotelo. 

Dr. Toyoda met us prior to the operation, explained what would take place, and was very helpful in answering all our questions during a very stressful time for us and for Murphy. She did a phenomenal job on his back, and he is now home resting comfortably. We are still amazed at how good his stiches look. Perhaps Dr. Toyoda missed her calling as a plastic surgeon! We are very appreciative of the job she did and want you to know what a wonderful surgeon you have in her.

Cindy was extremely caring and was very professional, answering all our questions and making us feel Murphy was in great hands while he stayed at UC Davis following his surgery. We know what a handful Murphy can be since he has never been in a crate before, and like all dachshunds, he is very vocal about expressing his displeasure. I have no doubt that he cried most of the time he was awake, since he has never stayed anywhere without us. Cindy did a great job comforting him. He does not like most people at the veterinarian’s office, but he sure liked Cindy. We could not be happier with the job she did, and she has our gratitude. She will make an outstanding veterinarian upon graduation.

Thanks again to everyone in the Neurology/Neurosurgery Service for their outstanding care of our boy, Murphy.

Dave and Peggy L.
Vacaville, California
Featured Clinical Trial
Dr. Pete Dickinson is recruiting dogs provisionally diagnosed with a brain tumor for a new clinical trial. The trial aims to investigate whether small particles (nanoporhphyrins) can be used to better visualize tumors during surgery and potentially to see if they will be a useful method to deliver drugs into brain tumors for treatment. For more information about this and other groundbreaking trials, visit the Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials website or email vetclintrials@ucdavis.edu.
CE Calendar
Upcoming Veterinary Continuing Education Events:

  • February 3 - Winter Conference, UC Davis
  • February 3 - 32nd Annual Charles Heumphreus Memorial Lecture, UC Davis
  • February 24-25 - Wildlife & Exotic Animal Symposium, UC Davis
  • March 19-24 - Renal Week, UC Davis
  • March 23 - House Officer Seminar Day, UC Davis
 
Vet Med Apparel Available
Looking for UC Davis Vet Med swag? Dozens of items are available online through the UC Davis bookstore. 
Help Advance Veterinary Care
With a simple online donation, you could help save a life – like Zelda, who had surgery after being hit by a car. Donations to the hospital’s Compassionate Care Funds helped pay for her care.